The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the availability of a final
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Interagency Florida Panther Response
Plan.

The response plan establishes guidelines for responding to and managing potential
interactions between people and Florida panthers, and for educating the public
about appropriate behavior when living and recreating in panther habitat.

In a related development, the Service plans to release the final version
of the updated Florida Panther Recovery Plan in the Federal Register before
the end of calendar year. This plan outlines future goals and initiatives
designed to stabilize and recover the population of this endangered species.

“The Service, the National Park Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission are ensuring public safety by establishing protocols
for responding to possible encounters between humans and panthers,” said
Sam D. Hamilton, Southeast Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. “At the same time, we also are trying to address the conservation
needs of this critically endangered animal mainly found south of Lake Okeechobee.”

"This response plan is an outstanding result of the combined efforts
of biologists and many stakeholders, who are working hard to recover the
endangered Florida panther," said Ken Haddad, executive director of
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "Our strong
partnership is resulting in progress towards recovery of the Florida panther
and the response plan is an important part of the work that is underway."

Florida’s urban and suburban growth has expanded into panther habitat.
Concurrently, recovery actions increased the Florida panther population
from 20 to 30 animals to about 80 to 100 animals in 2007. Meanwhile, Florida’s
human population grew from 14.2 million people in 1995 to an estimated
17.8 million people in 2005, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This
situation increases the possibility of interaction between people and panthers.
Definitive guidelines and instructions were needed to allow for panther
conservation and public safety.

While there has never been a documented attack by a Florida panther on
a human, panthers have killed livestock and pets.

The draft EA was published in May 2006 and a revised version was published
in November 2007 for public comments. Comments were also solicited from
the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
A peer review of the Response Plan was also conducted.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible
for conserving, protecting fish, wildlife, and plants, and enhancing their
habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Visit the Service’s
websites at http://www.fws.gov or http://www.fws.gov/southeast/.